Elisabeth "Betsy" Blaser

Update 5/20/2022 (CLM): Please Note: I have been asked not to use family photos and I will respect this.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178841158/elizabeth-blaser

Elizabeth "Betsy" Blaser, age 47, passed away peacefully at her home in Waterville, Kansas, on Sunday, April 23, 2017.

Betsy was born May 29, 1969, at Manhattan, Kansas, to Pamela E. (Maupin) and Robert L. Blaser, Sr. She graduated from Valley Heights High School in 1987. While she was in high school she was selected to be one of two students from Kansas to be in the McDonald's All American High School Band and marched in the Rose Bowl Parade and the Macy's Day Parade.

She continued her education by attending the Interlochen National Music Camp, received her BA in Music with an emphasis in Elementary Education from Northwestern University in 1991 with a concentration in Saxophone Performance, and received a Master of Music, Saxophone Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2000. Betsy continued her education over several years taking courses in Jazz at Kansas State University.

She continued her love for music as a professional musician. She performed with many bands including the Vaugh Bolton Jazz Orchestra, Stan Mark and his Sin City Suitz, Buddy Greco/Lezlie Anders Show, Don Menza Big Band Jazz on the Strip, the Don Rickels Show, among others, as well as having her own Betsy Blaser Jazz Trio and an array of solo musical performances. Her memberships included the Las Vegas Musicians Union, International Association of Jazz Educators, Las Vegas Flute Club and North American Music Merchandisers. As a private lesson studio teacher she had a studio at the University For Man in Manhattan where she gave saxophone, clarinet and flute lessons.

Betsy was also involved in the community, she was a member of Saint Mark's Lutheran Church, the Oregon California Trail Association and Friends of Alcove Springs. While in Las Vegas she was the youth director at Community Lutheran Church, the largest and fastest growing church in Las Vegas.

Survivors include her parents, Pam and Robert Blaser, Sr., her beloved life friend, Darrell Spain of Waterville, a sister, Nancy Blaser of Overland Park, Kansas, a brother, Robert (Sarah) Blaser, Jr. of Lake City, Minnesota, an uncle Charles (Delores) Blaser of Lawrence, Kansas, nieces, a nephew, and her beloved cat, Lucky.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 pm, Friday, April 28, 2017, at Saint Mark's Lutheran Church in Waterville with Sister Mary Arie and Mr. Bob Bergquist officiating. Music included an ensemble of Betsy's students performing "Amazing Grace" and "Chorale from Jupiter", Mr. Nate McClendon performing "How Great Thou Art" and Dr. Alfred Cochran performing "Ava Maria". Prelude and postlude were played by pianist Beverly Hedke and organist Delores Blaser. Casket bearers were, Scott Hedke, Rich Gerdes, Roger Terry, Bill Horner, Greg Christenson and Brian Sink. Burial was at Riverside Cemetery in Waterville.

The funeral home will be open Thursday, from noon to 8:00 pm to pay your respects. Betsy's family has requested the casket remain closed.

Memorials are suggested to the Betsy Blaser Memorial, to be determined later and may be sent in care of the funeral home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.